MLB Player News

The Nationals placed Brzykcy (quadriceps) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, retroactive to March 24.

Brzykcy was limited to just one spring game due to a lingering quadriceps injury. He's eligible to return from the IL in early April, but he'll need to ramp up his activity via extended spring training or a rehab assignment before being ready for major-league action. Brzykcy made his MLB debut in 2024 with the Nationals, and across six games he allowed nine earned runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out four across 5.2 innings.

Cruz is working out with the Padres at Petco Park on Wednesday and could be included on their Opening Day roster, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Cruz was optioned to minor-league camp in mid-March, but it looks like he will wind up making the team after all. The left-hander would be making his major-league debut if he gets into a game.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Wednesday that Brazoban will be included on the Opening Day roster, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Brazoban secured one of the final available spots in the New York bullpen. The 35-year-old right-hander is likely to be used mostly in middle relief after he turned in a 3.83 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 51:25 K:BB to go with five holds across his 51.2 big-league innings between the Marlins and Mets during the regular season last year.

Kranick will be part of the Mets' bullpen on Opening Day, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Kranick had a dominant Grapefruit League showing, permitting only two runs with a 15:1 K:BB over 12.1 innings. The 27-year-old's stuff has played up since he switched to relief, and he could work his way into a high-leverage role for the Mets.

The Reds placed Diaz (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Diaz's placement on the IL is retroactive to Monday, so he could be activated as soon as April 8, assuming he's fully moved past his hamstring injury by then. The 28-year-old has notched at least 25 saves in consecutive seasons, but he struggled to keep his walks in check in both years and saw his strikeout rate dip to 22.7 percent in 2024. The control problems cropped up again this spring, which put Diaz's status as the Reds' closer on shaky ground even before he was diagnosed with hamstring inflammation. The Reds are seemingly prepared to take a committee approach to the closer position to begin the season, and if a reliever is quickly able to gain the trust of manager Terry Francona in the late innings, Diaz may not be in the mix for save chances once he's healthy.

The Marlins designated Martinez for assignment Wednesday.

After being claimed off waivers from the Mariners on March 15, Martinez's stay on Miami's 40-man roster lasted less than two weeks with the Marlins swapping him out for right-hander Tyler Phillips, whom the team acquired from the Phillies on Wednesday. Martinez spent most of the 2024 season in the majors with Houston, serving in a middle-relief role while logging a 3.59 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 36:18 K:BB while collecting three wins, three holds and one save over 52.2 innings.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Wednesday that while Santillan is an "easy choice" to be the closer, "he might be too valuable getting to the ninth," Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

While Francona admitted he's not sure who his closer will be while Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is sidelined, it's notable that he mentioned Santillan in the fashion that he did, suggesting the right-hander might be the favorite to see the first opportunity. Santillan began last season in the minors after re-signing with the Reds last offseason on a minor-league deal, but he was excellent with the big club after being called up, posting a 3.00 ERA and 46:9 K:BB over 30 innings. Taylor Rogers, Scott Barlow, Graham Ashcraft and Emilio Pagan are other candidates to see save chances with the Reds.

The Cubs outrighted Thompson to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

Thompson passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization. He has experience as both a starter and reliever, and it's not clear which role the Cubs will use him in at Iowa.

The Cubs placed Miller on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a left hip impingement.

Miller will be eligible for activation April 5, but it's not clear whether he might be ready by then. The right-handed reliever posted a 2.15 ERA and 42:10 K:BB over 50.1 innings for the Cubs last season and is pegged for middle relief once healthy.

Graveman (back) will throw a bullpen session next week, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Graveman dealt with back issues during spring training and never pitched in a Cactus League setting. He could emerge as a key reliever after the Diamondbacks announced Jordan Montgomery will undergo Tommy John elbow surgery and Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) is expected to begin the season on the injured list. Graveman missed all last season following shoulder surgery, but the right-hander had varying degrees of success in the three seasons prior to 2024.